User:JaisonR/Static

Write problem/project Goal
Build static electricity generator and use it to make a hovercraft hover.

My First Task
Investigate types of static electricity machines and outline which might be best to build. I will then compare pros and cons with another teammate to choose the best machine to build and move forward with the project.

Summary of actual work over first weekend
I did manage to find a significant amount of information on different types of machines. The type of machine that seemed to be efficient and with information widely available was the Influence machines by Wimhurst and Bonetti.

Week1 Narrative
Tell a detailed story describing what you did for your team over the weekend.

Complete online tutorial for building a wimhurst machine can be found [| here]

I also found a great site about the history of static machines and a lot of information about them http://www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/electrostatic.html

Other types of machines. Toepler,Van de Graff, Voss, Bohnenberger, and Nicholson Generators

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5vwhqal26c8218l/WhichProjectShouldWeDo.xls

-Also, put part of this presentation together. Brainstormed, voting criteria.

My Second Task
Put a materials list together for building the Wimhurst machine. Will modify materials list from guide to make a bigger machine.

Summary of actual work over second weekend
The basic idea was to use the program for the Wimhurst machine with our desired dimensions to help alter the design of the tutorial we found on the internet. The information below shows the final dimensions and characteristics for the machine. It also has information about what altering each category influence as far as physical alterations and spark length.

Summary of Final Machine Characteristics

Diameter = 45.75cm      *Note: This attribute directly influences spark length. Theoretically spark length should be equal to the disks diameter. Having sectors and leakage will influence that.

Sectors = 15            *Note: Maximum spark length is achieved without sectors. However, having sectors allows machine to self charge. For maximum spark we went with very few sectors. Less sectors also reduces amperage.

Sector Length = 3cm     *Note: This relates to sector size which affects

Outer Margin = .2cm     *Note: This is sector placement and its proximity to the edge of the acrylic disk. The closer the better

Sector width/spacing = .5   *Note: Relates to sector size.

Upper Pulley Diameter = 2cm *Note: Should be smaller than lower pulley. The bigger this ratio the bigger amperage output. Doesn't really affect spark length.

Lower Pulley Diameter = 12cm *Note: Should be larger than upper pulley. The bigger this ratio the bigger amperage output. Doesn't really affect spark length.

Turn per Second = 3     *Note: more equals an increase in amperage

Boss Diameter = 4cm     *Note: This is the diameter of the center of the disk on the axle. Doesn't affect anything.

Sector Radius = 1.46cm  *Note: Affects sector size. Allows for self charging but smaller lends to larger spark length

Outer Radius = 1.42cm   *Note: Affects sector size. Allows for self charging but smaller lends to larger spark length

Spark Length = 29.55cm

Output Current = 9.91

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Week2 Narrative
Project presentation table. Helped distribute survey. https://www.dropbox.com/s/5vwhqal26c8218l/WhichProjectShouldWeDo.xls

This is a materials list that contains the materials list from the tutorial with altered materials for construction of the wimhurst machine that we are planning to build.

My Third task
Find pictures and links for each item on the materials list (that we might not already have)

Summary of actual work over third weekend
What I planned to do is look up each item on the list of materials and find them on various sites including mostly lowes and home depot. The materials list for these items is listed below.

Week3 Narrative
Researching the materials more and finding them on the internet was a huge step in better understanding the list and how this project will come together. Some of the materials I removed from the previous list because I had them listed twice. This is not because of error but because items had multiple names. This list represents and accurate listing of the materials we need and what they are used for. This should be very helpful when the times comes to construct the machine.

My Fourth task
Over the weekend I will make a poster for the team page.

Summary of actual work over fourth weekend
My task for the weekend was to make the team poster. The completed poster on the team page is linked below.

Complete Team Page
Completed poster, wrote next steps, updated other parts of the team page with significant editing.